Apri, A Child Who Take Cares for the Whole Family
At the age of 13, Apri should not be in charge of a mother's role at home. Instead, Apri should be the one receiving all the attention and affection from his parents. But his life has been the opposite. After his mother died, it was Apri who took over the cooking, washing dishes, fetching water, helping Father search for woods, and caring for his sickly Grandmother.
Missing his mother and father made Apri a child who sought attention outside the home. Often people think of Apri as a nosy child who often disturbs his friends. But it's actually Apri's way of getting attention that he never gets.
As a young child, Apri had a very tough job. Not to mention, he lives in a house that does not have access to clean water. Every night, Apri has to walk a long way to the well to draw water. He has to carry heavy jerry cans of water every day in the dark.
Although his father does gardening, it doesn't mean Apri can enjoy the produce every day. Like many other farmers in his village in East Manggarai, his father is a poor farmer. The results of his labour are not enough to put a full meal on the table. Often, Apri and his family only eat rice without any side dishes, or corn only.
In the midst of the difficulties of life, Apri was able to find hope again through the activities of the children's group in the village. These activities allowed Apri to feel the attention he had been longing. He could be his child self, and he felt accepted and loved. Friends in the children's group also had a positive influence on Apri so that now he no longer bullies other children.
With simple activities that WVI facilitates in the village, be it children's groups or other fun activities, children like Apri can be transformed. Imagine if Apri continued to live in vulnerable conditions, away from opportunities and under pressure, how would his life be in the future?
Right now, Apri and other children in remote areas need the presence of hope in their tough life. This hope comes from you through WVI by becoming a child sponsor. The funds you provide will be managed to improve all aspects of an Indonesian child's life.
Don't let more and more children live far from the world they belong to. Don’t let them have no choice but to take on the role they shoud not do. Click on wahanavisi.org/sponsoranak to start your journey creating hope in the life of a child in Indonesia.
Author: Mariana Kurniawati (Communication Executive)
